Shumba makes a kill outside Botswana

GASEBALWE SERETSE
Staff Writer | Tuesday October 12, 2010 00:00

Speaking to Showbiz in an interview in Gaborone yesterday after his return from countries such as Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia and Tanzania, Shumba said that he has realised that there is a lucrative market for his borankana genre out there. 'Botswana is saturated with artists, but the population is small, so I thought to myself, 'I might as well look for a market outside my country',' he said adding that that he is starting to reap the fruits of his ventures.  He said that he particularly likes touring Tanzania where he is a celebrated artist. Shumba further told Showbiz that Tanzanians say they love his music because they find it spiritual and that it touches their souls in an amazing way.

He said that in the East African country, he is always feted by revellers who throw money on the stage while he is performing adding that more often than not, he makes more money through this generous gesture as opposed to gate-takings.  The artist said during his Tanzanian show, he even had dinner with President Jakaya Kikwete in Dar es Salaam.  Ironically, Shumba explained that he became a household name in Tanzania because of piracy after his pirated videos and CD were sold on the black market.  He explained that this is now a thing of the past because he has made his works easily available in the country.

The artist says he is so revered in the East African country that there is a statue made in his honour while various Tanzanian artists sell his portraits.  Asked how his international audiences understand him because he sings in Setswana, he said that it is easy since music is a universal language, meaning they are able to sing along even though they do not speak Setswana.

He added that Zimbabweans in particular understand the lyrics of his songs.  The artist further said that he makes more money outside Botswana because there are no stringent laws that regulate entertainment hours and alcohol sales.  'Revellers in these countries attend festivals in large numbers so whenever I perform there, they hire bigger venues such as stadiums,' he said. 

The artist further said that he has no time for people who had written him off because his star is still rising. He said that his primary mission nowadays is to focus on lifting the Botswana flag high and selling the country all over Africa.The performer married late  last year.